Senator Gallivan Announces State Funding to Support School Resource Officers

SRO PROGRAMS PROMOTE POSITIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES  

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) says funds included in this year’s New York State budget are supporting new and existing School Resource Officer (SRO) programs in more than a dozen schools in his 59^th Senate district.  The program brings local schools and law enforcement agencies together to promote school safety and crime prevention.

“As a former State Trooper and Sheriff of Erie County, I have great respect for law enforcement officers and the positive impact they can have in our schools.  In addition to offering security, the officers work closely with school administrators to promote positives relations and conflict resolution,” Gallivan said.

Gallivan, Chair of the Senate Committee on Crime, Crime Victims and Corrections, has secured funding to support nine SRO programs covering 13 school districts, including West Seneca Central where officials announced details of the program Monday. 

“We were delighted to learn that the West Seneca Central School District’s School Resource Officer Program is going to receive $25,000 through the staunch advocacy of Senator Gallivan.  Like other districts in financial stress, we appreciate every opportunity to support District programming, particularly in this case, as the West Seneca Police Department and the West Seneca Schools enjoy a remarkably strong relationship. Clearly, our SRO Program is a benefit to both our students and our staff members,” said West Seneca Superintendent Dr. Mark Crawford.  

Under the program, five West Seneca police officers provide SRO services to the district’s ten school buildings.  

“State support for our SRO program is critical.  We need to do all we can to make sure West Seneca schools are a place where students, faculty and staff feel safe and secure.  This program represents a wonderful partnership between the state, the town and our school district,” said West Seneca Supervisor Sheila Meegan.

SRO programs are also being funded at Iroquois Central, North Collins Central, Springville-Griffith Schools, Holland Central and Alden Central in Erie County.  In Wyoming County, Warsaw Central, Perry Central, Attica Central and Letchworth Central schools are receiving state SRO funding.  Two school districts in Livingston County; York Central and Caledonia-Mumford Central…and Wheatland-Chili Central in Monroe County…are also receiving funding from the state.

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